The Civil Society Network of Liberia (CSNL) has described as baseless statements emanating from Grand Gedeh County Senator, Zoe Emmanuel Pennue, and Sinoe County Senator, Augustine Chea, that former Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, used taxpayers’ money to improve her medical center. During the confirmation hearing of Health Minister-Designate, Dr. Louse Kpoto, both senators alleged that former Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, used taxpayers’ money and diverted medical supplies intended for public hospitals to improve her hospital.
“Having followed the workings and administration of former Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, the Civil Society Network of Liberia sees Senator Pennue and Chea’s allegation against her as baseless and a complete falsehood. The senators’ assertions are also a sinister attempt intended to undermine the gains made by the former Health Minister. We see it as politically showboating and ludicrous for Senator Pennue to grade Dr. Jallah 10% in performance rating. His statements are disingenuous because, as a renowned medical administrator, Dr. Jallah made tremendous efforts in transforming the health sector in the midst of low budgetary support,” CSNL said in a press release.
“Despite low support from international health partners, Dr. Jallah ensured that salaries and benefits of medical doctors and other workers were increased; major hospitals were built; hospitals were fully functional and medical trainings were carried out. It was under the regime of Dr. Jallah that the historic 14 Military Hospital, and 100-bedroom Emirates hospital in Gbarpolu County were built.
“It is a glaring fact that prior to her ascendancy as Minister of Health Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah was operating one of Liberia’s premier private health centers. Senators Pennue and Chea should be informed that the Hope for Women International, owned by Dr. Jallah, has been well capacitated, staffed and medically equipped—long before she became Health Minister. Dr. Jallah’s was fully detached from the hospital during her stay as Minister of Health, and there is no record of her diverting medical supplies intended for public health centers to the Hope for Women International,” the civil society organization stated.
“The Civil Society Network of Liberia wants to make it clear that it frowns against politicians like Senator Zoe Emmanuel Pennue and Augustine Chea who are bent on making thoughtless claims against the characters of former and current officials of government. The act of making unwarranted allegations against people’s character just because they serve in the public sector is ridiculous and despicable. While we do not support corruption and mismanagement of public goods and supplies, we will also not support unwarranted allegations against public officials and prominent Liberians, like Senator Pennue has done to Dr. Jallah.
“In conclusion, the Civil Society Network of Liberia calls on Senator Zoe Emmanuel Pennue and Augustine Chea to immediately retract their unfounded statements against former Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah. We particularly urge Senator Penue to focus on clearing himself from the allegations linking him to the mysterious deaths of the late Grand Gedeh Representative, Erol Madison Gwion,” CSNL admonished.